KMU Acts

KMU-IPMR observed world Occupational Therapy day

Prof. Dr. Arshad Javaid Vice Chancellor Khyber Medical University (KMU), Peshawar said that Occupational Therapy (OT) is a very rewarding and respectable career for those who would like to help people living with mental health problems, disabilities, injuries or impairments, Alzheimer’s disease, cerebral palsy, autism or the loss of a limb, he was talking as chief guest to an event organized jointly by KMU-IPMR and Paraplegic Centre Hayatabad Peshawar in order to observed world occupational therapy day.

He said occupational therapists (OTs) while working with all age groups and in a wide range of physical and psychosocial areas therefore they have a huge responsibility on their shoulders. OTs are the qualified professionals who can assess and plan short and long term treatments tailored to an individual and his or her occupation, habits and environment.

The VC KMU said, “Every healthcare team would want to have an occupational therapist. They help people with various illnesses and disabilities adapt to their circumstances”. KMU recognizes the increasing need for occupational therapists therefore we started 4 year BS OT and Speech & Language Therapy programs here after strengthening and running successful 5 year DPT program, he added.

Prof. Dr. Arshad Javaid highlighted that the primary goal of occupational therapy is to enable people to participate in the activities of everyday life. Occupational therapists achieve this outcome by working with people and communities to enhance their ability to engage in the occupations they want to, need to, or are expected to do, or by modifying the occupation or the environment to better support them.

He added that occupational therapists are a vital part of the health-care team, working alongside nurses, physiotherapists and other health-care professionals, to ensure the best quality of life for their patients and clients. Chief Executive Officer of Paraplegic Centre Peshawar Mr. Muhammad Ilyas Syed and Director KMU-IPMR Dr. Haider Darain also talked to the function. Later on a walk was also carried out to observe and high light the need and importance of occupational therapy.